History

Historia

For more than 50 years, the Ford Foundation has sought to support economic development and the establishment of democratic societies in the countries of the Andean Region. In our early years, we focused on educational advancement and productive development. In the 1970s and 1980s, as dictatorships prevailed and pursued violent agendas, we partnered with groups that documented human rights abuses and championed human rights defenders.

Throughout the 1990s, when the region transitioned from authoritarian dictatorships to democracy, the foundation promoted transitional justice, supporting truth commissions and other initiatives dedicated to preserving historical memory. We remained committed to economic justice, helping to develop microfinance programs for the poor. We also worked to advance women’s rights and reproductive health, as well as government transparency and accountability.

Today, as democratic reforms continue to spread across the region, the countries we serve stand at a critical crossroads. The foundation is committed to ensuring that all people in the region have access to the benefits of democracy and economic growth. We believe that fighting entrenched discrimination and exclusion is the key to achieving full democratic participation and broadly shared prosperity.